Highlights, launches & giveaways at The Watercooler Event

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We’re looking forward to two days of top-notch workplace culture and employee wellbeing insight and inspiration at The Watercooler Event at ExCel on Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th April.

Here are some of the many highlights, launches and giveaways which make it a “must-attend”.

Quality, free-to-attend, compelling content

As well as the employer keynotes, 30 live case studies and panel sessions, 2 author spotlights, 10 workshops and a vibrant exhibition of specialist workplace wellbeing suppliers, don’t miss:

  • Keegan Hirst, Rugby League player – the first openly gay professional rugby league player in Britain, at 10.00am on Tuesday 25th April. In conversation with Mark Malcomson, Keegan will be sharing his view on why living authentically and being able to bring your whole self to work is critical for mental health.
  • Clarke Carlisle, former Premier League footballer & Carrie Carlisle. In 2014, Clarke Carlisle presented two award-winning documentaries, “Is Football Racist?” and the critically acclaimed “Football’s Suicide Secret”. In their keynote at 10.00am on Wednesday 26th April, Clarke and Carrie will share their personal experience and understanding of the barriers to honest and open conversations around mental health and how to overcome them to encourage employees to seek help when they need it. 

You can view the full agenda here.

Giveaways to add real value to your visit

  • Pick up your copy of the UK Workplace Mind Health Report from AXA Health’s stand W628 for new ideas and knowledge to build into your own wellbeing strategies. Key themes: supporting inclusion, belonging and helping our employees’ wellbeing to flourish. Including insights from Dame Carol Black, Hays and City Mental Health Alliance UK. Plus, spotlight interviews with wellbeing leaders from PwC UK, Ocado Group, Capgemini and Microsoft UK.
  • Peppy on stand W617 are offering an exclusive opportunity to talk one-on-one with Menopause Specialists Kathy Abernathy and Jenny Lamper. Ask your burning questions, understand the impact of menopause on your workforce and gain tailored advice on how to support your employees, manage symptoms, and reduce the impact of menopause on productivity.
  • The event’s Headline Sponsor, PIB Employee Benefits on stand W720, will be serving complimentary barrister coffee throughout the event. Plus, Julie Michalski from Maitland Medicine will carry out free health checks and provide insights into occupational health. And on Tuesday 25th April, from 11.00 – 14.00, Deirdre ONeill, COO & Co-Founder, Hertility will share insights on reproductive wellbeing.
  • The event’s official Truth, Lies and Workplace Culture podcast, will be offering interviews and hosting a live podcast on the Mental Health Awareness for All stand. They’re also running a competition with £15,000 of practical prizes pledged including 12 hours of coaching, spanning leadership, career, life, physical health, wellbeing, DEI & burnout and much more.

Launches & announcements to stay ahead of the curve and benchmark best practice

  • From 16.15pm to 17.30pm on Tuesday 25th April, in the Social & Inclusive Wellbeing Theatre, we’ll be announcing the 21 winners and 25 highly commended nominees of the 2023 Make A Difference Awards, followed by a celebratory drink around The Watercooler – the event’s central feature. You can find out all about the Awards and see who has been shortlisted here.
  • On Wednesday 26th April, Business in the Community (BITC) will be launching their new report: Prioritise People: Unlock the Value of a Thriving Workforce developed in partnership with research partner, McKinsey Health Institute (MHI), BITC’s Wellbeing Leadership Team and their CFO Advisory Board. For the first time, research has been aggregated to make the compelling case for putting thriving people at the heart of organisational purpose and business strategy. The size of the prize is larger than expected. Find out more at the 11:35-12:20 keynote panel facilitated by Javier Echave, CFO, Heathrow and the Chair of BITC’s Wellbeing Leadership Team: Redefining Success: The Compelling Case for Putting Thriving People at the Heart of Business Strategy.
  • On Tuesday 25th April, in their keynote session from 13.35 to 14.20, Business for Health, a business-led coalition working with major employers such as Legal and General and AXA Health, will be launching their new report. Join the panel including input from Dame Carol Black, Chair, Centre for Ageing Better, Lord James Bethell, Former Health Minister and Sandra Dyball, Director, Health, Wellbeing and Benefits, Centrica. The timely discussion will focus on the growing role of business in preventative health to reduce demand on the NHS and care system.

Also, BackHug will be on site demonstrating new tech, and in their workshop Headspace will highlight how employers can build a proactive mental health service that’s approachable, immediate, personal and continuous, keeping employees healthy and delivering employer ROI. On their stand, Qured will be showcasing their health screening programme, which brings painless, convenient, testing to employee’s homes and onhand – as seen on Dragon’s Den – will be demonstrating their on-demand solution that helps engage employees in environmental and social action.

You can find out more about the initiatives that will help you get ahead, as well as everything else that’s happening at The Watercooler on 25th and 26th April, and reserve your free ticket here.

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